Queensland Election: No LNP discipline over misuse of police resources

Amy Remeikis

Llew O'Brien was investigated by the ethical standards command over allegations he had "inappropriately accessed" Queensland Police Service information about two LNP pre-selection candidates. Photo: Twitter

The LNP will not discipline a senior member found to have misused police resources to investigate its potential party candidates.

Llew O'Brien, the former LNP Wide Bay Regional chair and serving police officer, was investigated by the ethical standards command over allegations he had "inappropriately accessed" Queensland Police Service information about two LNP pre-selection candidates for the seat of Nanango, prior to the 2012 election, a seat Deb Frecklington went on to win, among other allegations.

While Mr O'Brien was cleared of all other allegations, the ethical standards investigation did substantiate the Nanango claims.

He was disciplined with "managerial action" by the police service. The Crime and Corruption Commission reviewed the findings of the police investigation and concurred with its conclusion.

When contacted by Fairfax Media about the investigation, which was launched in December 2013 and concluded in October 2014, a party spokesman said the LNP state executive was unaware of the substantiated claims against Mr O'Brien.

Mr O'Brien resigned as one of the state executive's 10 regional chairs in April 2014, but Fairfax Media understands he remains an active participant in local party activities.

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Following the public airing of the claims, a spokesman for the LNP said it was an "internal police operational matter and Mr O'Brien remains a well-respected member of the Queensland Police Service".

He reiterated that Mr O'Brien "is also a well-regarded member of the LNP".

On Monday, Mr O'Brien said he could not comment on the investigation as it was an operational matter, but no adverse finding had been recorded on his police record.

The LNP spokesman did not answer whether it had directed Mr O'Brien to investigate its candidates.